Latch mechanism and striker



March 28, 1967 F. 1.. LEONARD 3,311,395

LATCH MECHANISM AND STRIKER Filed March 24. 1965 LTX; INVENTOR. FRED L. LEONARD ATTORNEY A\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Xi United States Patent 3,311,395 LATCH MECHANISM AND STRIKER Fred L. Leonard, 14720 NW. 8th Court,

. Miami, Fla. 33136 Filed Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 442,343 20 Claims. (Cl. 292-228) This invention relates to a latch mechanism to releasably engage and lock a striker on a swingable gate which is adapted to be opened and closed at 'a fence opening and, more particularly, to a latch mechanism for astriker on such a gate which is adapted to be disengaged by an operator member, the location of which is not readily apparent" and which is in an out-of-the-way position so that small children cannot reach it.

Quite often city ordinances require that fences be provided around areas which are dangerous to children, such as that of a swimming pool; however, the purpose of such ordinances is often frustrated by gates which are readily opened by small children. It is an object of this invention to provide a latch mechanism housed in a fence post at a gate opening for cooperation with a companionate latch striker carried on a gate.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a latch mechanism which is adaptable to be installed in a post at a gate opening of a fence for locking engagement with a striker carried by the gate, and which is adapted to be released on rotation of an operator member which is located in an out-of-the-way position.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a latch mechanism and striker unit which are adapted to be installed, respectively, in a tubular fence post having a lateral opening with the effective holding position ofthe latch mechanism adjacent the opening, and a catch or latch striker adapted to be mounted on the distal edge of a gate at the opening at a location on the distal edge such that, when the gate is closed, the hooked end :of the latch striker passes through the post opening and engages the latch mechanism for subsequent release on rotation of the mechanism about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post. a

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiment thereof:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial view of'a fence post and gate embodying the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial view of the post and gate of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view taken along the plane of the line 33 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a partial view in cross section taken along the plane of line 44 of FIGURE 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURES is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 5-5 and looking in the direction of the arrows, the said view illustrating the latch mechanism in the locked position;

fence FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line 66 of FIGURE 4 when the latch mechanism is in the position indicated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrating the latch mechanism in the striker release position; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 and illustrating the gate catch or striker in the position for release from the latch mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, the numeral 11 generally indicates a fence type structure having an opening between two spaced vertical members at the edges of the opening, one of which members is shown and designated by the numeral 12 for subsequent reference in this specification. To the other vertical member, which is not shown, there is mounted in suitable conventional fashion a swingable gate 14 and carrying a latch striker 16. A latch mechanism is housed in the vertical member 12 to catch and trap the striker; the mechanism in combination with the member 12 will now be described.

Referring first to the post 12, which is best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is of sturdy, tubular material and defines an interior chamber 18. The latch mechanism, which is housed within the chamber 18, includes an operator shaft having an enlarged lower end 22 slideably received in the chamber; the end 22 being preferably of a configuration which is generally concentric with respect to the cross sectional area of the chamber. The enlarged end 22 may be, as shown, in the form of a disc connected to the rod by any suitable means, such as the lock screw 28 and may include the annular ring 26 to receive the end of the shaft. A lateral recess 30 is provided in the disc to receive and catch the striker 16, FIG. 2 on the swingable gate in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. Referring tothe upper end of the shaft of FIG. 4, it is seen that, adjacent the end, an operator means 34 is provided for rotating the rod and, consequently,

the entry mouth 36 of the aforesaid recess trap 30 at the lower end of the shaft. In the embodiment illustrated, the operator means 34 comprise a conventional gate post cap 38 positioned on the member 12 and the operator means 34 is keyed to the shaft, as by the lock screw 40 carried in an upper annular member 42, which in turn is connected, as by the pin 44, to the cap. The head 46 of the screw or pin 44 is preferably recessed in the cap 38 for asmooth exterior contour appearance. To support the shaft in the vertical member 12 and to permit rotational movement thereof, a chamber roof or band 50 is receivable in the end of the member 12 and secured in a seated position as by the screw connection 51 to the member 12. The band 50, as shown, is provided with an axial bore 49 of a diameter slightly larger than that of the shaft and, exteriorly, with a shoulder 52 which in assembly is shouldered against and rests on the annular surface of the end of the member 12 in nesting relation. As is apparent, theoperator means and shaft are thus rendered rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft with the skirt 48 of the cap slideably overlaying the upper peripheral surface of the member 12. Mutually intercooperating biasing means 56 are provided on the band and annular member 42 to urge the latch mechanism into. a predetermined angular position, and, consequently, the mouth 36 of the recess 40. The biasing means shown comprises the coil spring 56; one end of the coil spring is held in a fixed position by reason of the fact that it is received in a hole 60 of the band 50 while the other end of the spring is trapped for angular displacement for coiling movement together with the member 42 in the manner to be described. In the bottom surface 64 of the annular member 42, that is, the surface which confronts the top surface 66 of the band 50, a central recess is provided to define a spring seat 68 and an entrant slot in the bottom surface 64 is cut between the slot sides 72 and 74, Angular displacement limit means for coiling movement of theannu lar member 42 are provided in the form of a pin 70 extending upwardly from the top surface of the band 50 into the cutaway between the slot sides 72 and 74, which permits limited rotation of the operator means between a first and a second position, which, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7,

Patented Mar. 28, 1967 is limited or predetermined by movement of the pin 70 into abutting engagement with either the surfaces or side walls 72 and 74 of the cut-away slot in the bottom surface 64. Preferably the plane of the spring seat recess is common to that of the fiat surface '76 of the cut-away slot. Thus, the mechanism may be displaced angularly with the end of the spring, which is trapped in the cut-away slot, being moved to store energy in the spring in an amount corresponding to the angular displacement of the operator means, the said angular displacement being limited by means of the pin '70 engaging the sides 72 or 74.

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that locking means are provided to retain the mechanism at a predetermined location depthwise in the chamber of the member 12, said locking means comprising a collar 78 which is provided and connected to the rod by the screw 80 which abuts the band 50 to cooperate with it and resist changes in the location of the latch mechanism in the member 12.

The latch mechanism is thus seen to include the operator means carried exteriorly of the post or member 12 and a rotatable shaft in the post which carries a gate latch trap or recess .at its lower end, the said shaft being normally urged into one angular position of rotation, a latch lock position, and movable by means of the operator means to a second angularly displaced position, a striker release position. The post or vertical member 12 is provided with a laterally opening hole 82 at a companionate relation to that of the trap 39 to permit entry of the striker into the trap recess 30 of the latch mechanism, as will now be described.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it is seen that the gate catch or striker 16 includes a block suitably clamped as at 92 to the distal s'ide of a gate and carrying the latch striker. Thestriker is in the shape of an L-shaped bar 94 slidably or adjustably mounted in a lateral recess in the block and locked in position by means of the screws 96. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the main leg of the bar 94 is in a plane offset and parallel to the main plane of the fence to lend position to the shorter ,leg of the bar so that on closing, the .hooked end 98 penetrates substantially straight into .the hole 82 of the post member 12 and into the trap recess 30 of the latch mechanism. As best seen in FIG- URES 6 and 8, the hooked end 98 is rounded on the distal end and includes a cutaway 100, the floor 101 of which is preferably slightly reentrant, that is, the included angle between the floor and the inclined side is slightly acute. As is apparent from FIGURE 6, as the hooked end moves intothe recess it will cause the disc, and consequently the latch mechanism, to rotate slightly to permit the rounded distal ends to pass and in so doing angul-arly displace the latch mechanism storing energy in the spring until the floor has passed the brink of the edge 106, whereupon the spring or biasing means 56 will return the disc to the normal position shown in FIGURE 6. The gate is released by rotating the operator means so that the gate catch maybe pulled free on swinging of the gate, as seen in FIGURE 8. The configuration of the recess trap 30 is seen clearly in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6. The entry mouth 36 ofthe hole is a circular opening in the disc 22 which mouthis enlarged on one side, as indicated by the line 108, such that the outer wall of the hole, as indicated by the numeraled lines 109 and 111 of FIGURES 6 and 8,

are parallel, with the exception of the side 108 which tapers and blends with the aforesaid main side of the hole. The rear face 112, that is the face opposite the mouth 36, of the disc isprovided with the cutout 114 which enlarges the rear end of the recess and defines the brink 106 at the intersection of the hole Wall line 111 and the rear recess wall 116. The net result of the shape of the recess is that the hooked end will readily pass into the recess, rotating the latch mechanism as required to permit lateral passage, until the floor 101 passes the brink, at which time the biasing means moves the brink 106 into engagement with the floor 101 to trap the striker.

It is thus apparent, that this invention discloses a latch mechanism and striker which is readily adapted to be installed at gate openings of fences circumscribing an area for the purpose of keeping people out, especially small children. Further, it is apparent that by marking indicia at appropriate places on the various elements of mechanism, the latch mechanism and striker are adapted for ready installation in standard fence post and gate structures. The brink edge 106, that is, the portion of the side wall of the recess which engages :the hooked end of the striker, it will be seen comprises a rotatable portion in the mechanism which, when assembled to the member 12, projects into the cylindrical space defined by the projection of the lateral opening in the member 12 and is radially offset with respect to the center line of the space, which is also the path of the striker-on closing of the gate, and is thus arranged such that on impact by the curved distal end or nose of the striker the brink, or projecting portion, is angularly displaced out of the path of the striker storing energy in the spring of the mechanism, which mechanism is otherwise in a fixed position, to urge the projecting portion into the bite of the hook of the striker on passage of the nose and, consequently release of the energy stored in the spring, to be subsequently moved out of the bite on rotating the decorative cap relative to the member 12 to release the striker and open the gate.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

What is claimed is:

1. For cooperating with a hooked striker on a swingable gate, .a'latch mechanism comprising, in combination, a tubular housing having a lateral opening; an operator shaft in the housing and having a lateral recess adjacent one end in companionate relation to the opening, and the other end exteriorly of the housing; operator means connected to the other end effective to angularly displace-the shaft about its axis; said recess being of a configuration companionate to the striker to receive the striker therein such that the striker, when in the recess, is held, while the shaft is in one position of angular displacement, and, when the shaft is displaced angularly relative to the said one position to a second position, said hooked striker is slidable into and out of the recess.

2. A latch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein limit means are carried in the housing to constrain the shaft to limits of angular displacements between the said positions.

3. A latch mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein biasing means are provided in the housing to normally urge the mechanism into the said one position.

4. A latch mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein biasing means are provided in the housing to normally urge the mechanism into the said one position.

5. A latch mechanism as set forthin claim 1 wherein the operator means comprises a cap carried exteriorly of the housing.

6. In combination, a latch striker for attachment to the distal edge of a swingable Y gate hingedly mounted at one side of a fence opening, and a latch mechanism for in sertion in a tubular fence post of circular cross-section at the other side of the gate opening to catch and to releasably 'hold the striker, comprising; a hooked striker adapted to be fastened to the distal edge of the gate including, a striker member and means to fasten the memher to the gate, said striker member having a hooked end spaced from the distal edge of the gate and extending into the plane of the gate when the striker is mounted to the gate; said mechanism comprising; a shaft, with one end adaped to be received in the fence post and having a first enlarged portion snugly slidable in the fence post for rotation with the shaft about the center line of the shaft, said first portion having .a lateral recess with an enlarged mouth and an enlarged rear chamber, the walls of said recess defining a brink at theentrance to the rear chamber, said recess being sized intermediate the mouth and rear chamber for passage of the hooked end of the striker into the rear chamber, said shaft having a second enlarged portion adjacent the other end sized to prevent insertion of the other end in the post, and means on the second portion to turn the shaft and second enlarged portion to engage the brink in the bite of the hooked end of the striker member passed into the recess, whereby said mechanism is adapted to be received in a fence post having a lateral hole with the mouth of the recess facing the hole so that the hooked end positioned at a companionate point on a gate is adapted for engagement with the brink.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the means on the second portion comprises a decorative cap connected to the second enlarged portion and having a skirt portion to slidably overlay the exterior surface of the end of the post.

8. In combination, a latch striker for attachment to the distal edge of a swingable gate hingedly mounted at one side of a fence opening, and a latch mechanism for insertion in a tubular fence post of circular cross-section at the other side of the gate opening to catch and to releasably hold the striker, comprising; a hooked striker adapted to be fastened to the distal edge of the gate including a striker member and means to fasten the member to the gate, said striker member having a hooked end spaced from the distal edge of the gate and extending into the plane of the gate when the striker is mounted to the gate; said mechanism comprising; a shaft, with one end adapted to be received in the fence post and having a first enlarged portion snugly slidable in the fence post for rotation with the shaft about the center line of the shaft, said first portion having a lateral recess with an enlarged mouth and an enlarged rear chamber, the walls of said recess defining a brink at the entrance to the rear chamber, said recess being sized intermediate the mouth and rear chamber for passage of the hooked end of the striker into the rear chamber, said shaft having a second enlarged portion adjacent the other end sized to prevent insertion of the other end in the post, and means on the second portion to turn the shaft and second enlarged portion to engage the brink in the bite of the hooked end of the striker member passed into the recess, whereby said mechanism is adapted to be received in a fence post having a lateral hole with the mouth of the recess facing the hole so that the hooked end positioned at a companionate point on a gate is adapated for engagement with the brink; biasing means carried on the shaft to connect the shaft to the point and normally urge the shaft yieldingly into the bite and brink engaging position.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein the said biasing means are carried by the second enlarged portion for connection with the end of the post.

10. In combination, a latch striker for attachment to the distal edge of a swingable gate hingedly mounted at one side of a fence opening, and a latch mechanism for insertion in a tubular fence post of circular cross-section at the other side of the gate opening to catch and to releasably hold the striker, comprising; a hooked striker adapted to be fastened to the distal edge of the gate including, an L-shaped member having a hooked end on a shorter leg thereof; a block having a recess, the longer leg of the member being slidable in the block; clamping means on the block to fasten the striker to the distal edge of the gate with the recess being generally aligned such that its longitudinal center line is parallel to and spaced from the main plane of the gate; means to lock the striker to reestrain movement of the hooked end relative to the block, said shorter leg extending perpendicular to and into the plane of the gate when mounted; said mechanism comprising; a shaft, With one end adapted to be received in the fence post and having a first enlarged portion snugly slidable in the fence post for rotation with the shaft about the center line of the shaft, said first portion having a lateral recess with an enlarged mouth and an enlarged rear chamber, the walls of said recess defining a brink at the entrance to the rear chamber, said recess being sized intermediate the mouth and rear chamber for passage of the hooked end of the striker into the rear chamber, said shaft having a second enlarged portion adjacent the other end sized to prevent insertion of the other end in the post, and means on the second portion to turn the shaft and second enlarged portion to engage the brink in the bite of the hooked end of the striker member passed into the recess, whereby said mechanism is adapted to be received in a fence post having a lateral hole with the mouth of the recess facing the hole so that the hooked end positioned at a companionate point on a gate is adapted for engagement with the brink; biasing means carried on the shaft to connect the shaft to the point and normally urge the shaft yieldingly into the bite and brink engaging position.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the said biasing means are carried by the second enlarged portion for connection with the end of the post.

12. A latch mechanism and striker to releasably lock 5 a gate at a fence opening in a closed position constructed in accordance with the foregoing specification and claims herein for the purposes specified.

13. In combination, a latch striker for attachment to a swingable gate hingedly mounted at one side of an opening in a fence structure, and a latch mechanism for suspension in a tubular support post at the other side of the fence opening and having a lateral opening; (1) said striker including (a) a side opening hooked member sized for passage into the lateral opening and having a tapered end nose and (b) attaching means to mount the striker to a gate with the member spaced from the distal edge of the gate and extending perpendicularly with respect to the main plane of the gate at a height such that the hooked member is adapted to penetrate into the lateral opening when the gate is closed; (2) said latch mechanism including a member adapted to be suspended in the post and rotatable about an axis with a portion carried by the member projecting into the cylindrical space of the lateral projection of the lateral opening in the post and radially spaced from the center line of said space so as to be responsive to an impact by the nose of the striker to effect angular displacement of the member about an axis and permit entry of the hooked member into the post; and (3) an operator, accessible exteriorly of the post, to angularly displace said member to move the portion into or from striker-holding engagement in the bite of the side opening hooked end of the striker.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein guide means are provided for the member to co-operate with the interior surface of the gate post to limit movement of the axis of rotation.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the latch mechanism includes adjusting means to limit penetration of the member in the post and to lock it in a position with the portion in said cylindrical space.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the said operator comprises a decorative cap keyed for rotation with the mechanism, said decorative cap being supported on the upstanding end of the post.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said mechanism includes biasing means adapted to be connected to the post to normally urge the portion into the said cylindrical space in the lateral projection of the lateral opening in the post and radially spaced from the center line of said space and responsive to an impact on the portion by the striker nose to store energy in the means on angular displacement of the portion to permit passage of the nose for release of the energy to urge the said portion into the bite of the hooked member to hold it.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein the operator comprises a decorative cap rotatably carried exteriorly on the upstanding end of the post and keyed for rotation to the said mechanism to turn the portion out of the bite of the hooked end of the striker and permit Withdrawal of the striker from the lateral opening when the mechanism is housed in a fencing post.

19. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the said portion comprises a brink in the side wall of a recess in the mechanism dimensioned to permit passage thereinto.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein the said attaching means to mount the striker to a gate :is adjustable horizontally and vertically with respect to the main length of the distal edge of the gate.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 330,992 11/1885 Mathews 292175 608,353 8/1898 Van Olst 292152 X 1,018,427 2/ 1912 Killingsworth 292305 1,521,112 12/1924 Lawrence 292202 X 1,584,176 5/1926 Jerntegaard 292228 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,292 1883 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. 

1. FOR COOPERATING WITH A HOOKED STRIKER ON A SWINGABLE GATE, A LATCH MECHANISM COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A TUBULAR HOUSING HAVING A LATERAL OPENING; AN OPERATOR SHAFT IN THE HOUSING AND HAVING A LATERAL RECESS ADJACENT ONE END IN COMPANIONATE RELATION TO THE OPENING, AND THE OTHER END EXTERIORLY OF THE HOUSING; OPERATOR MEANS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END EFFECTIVE TO ANGULARLY DISPLACE THE SHAFT ABOUT ITS AXIS; SAID RECESS BEING OF A CONFIGURATION COMPANIONATE TO THE STRIKER TO RECEIVE THE STRIKER THEREIN SUCH THAT THE STRIKER, WHEN IN THE RECESS, IS HELD, WHILE THE SHAFT IS IN ONE POSITION OF ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT, AND, WHEN THE SHAFT IS DISPLACED ANGULARLY RELATIVE TO THE SAID ONE POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION, SAID HOOKED STRIKER IS SLIDABLE INTO AND OUT OF THE RECESS. 